DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative targets ‘utility-scale’ quantum by 2033

DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) aims to determine whether any quantum-computing approach can reach utility-scale operation by 2033, where computational value exceeds cost, the agency says on its program page.

QBI expands DARPA’s Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) and runs separately from the Quantum Benchmarking (QB) program that defines impact benchmarks, according to DARPA.

DARPA selected nearly 20 companies for Stage A to describe concepts for a useful, fault-tolerant quantum computer within a decade. “We selected these companies for Stage A following a review of their written abstracts and daylong oral presentations before a team of U.S. quantum experts,” said Joe Altepeter, QBI program manager.

The program proceeds through three stages: (A) concept with a plausible near-term path; (B) an R&D plan with risks, mitigations and needed prototypes; and (C) government verification and validation that the concept can be built and operated as intended, DARPA says.

DARPA adds that QBI is not a competition; multiple, single or no approaches may prove viable, and the agency will communicate verified results to other U.S. government stakeholders.